In the Kitchen: Crockpot chicken and dumplings

Warning - I'm a picky dumpling eater.  I'm also a picky chicken eater - I don't like dark meat and I don't care for bone-in chicken.

This recipe must be super popular right now.  Jenny posted it Monday and it reminded me that I had saved it from a few weeks ago when TiffanyD posted it.  Two southern girls raving about a shortcut dumpling recipe, this I have to try. 

It is very simple and with the disgusting weather we've had the past few days it felt appropriate for some country comfort food.  I really liked it and I will make it again especially because R loved it more than his grandmothers.

1 package of boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
3 cans condensed cream of chicken soup ( I used campbells 99% fat free)
1 can chicken broth (I used swanson brand fat free, 33% reduced sodium)
1/2 can of water
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 small onion chopped
pepper  ( I didn't add salt while it was cooking because I wanted to taste it first)
1 can refrigerator biscuits (not the flaky kind)  (I used Pillsbury Grands Homestyle that serve 8)

All the ingredients except the biscuits go into a crock pot on a high setting for 5 hours.  Take the chicken out and shred it and put it back in the crock pot.  Cut the biscuits into pieces and place into crock pot (if you seperate the biscuits then divide each biscuit into fourths).  Cook for another 40 minutes.

My October Favorites

Bringing back my monthly favorites :-)  

So I found out that no matter how you dress up cooked apples, R does not like them.  It's so upsetting because I wanted to make an apple pie but I'm not going to go through the trouble if he's not going to help me eat it....but I have no problems buying a pie for myself.  The above photo is by Paula Deen from foodnetwork.com but my $4.99 pie looked just as tempting.

 Pumpkin carving with R.  I love that my witch hat looked so spooky on his pumpkin.  We bought a strobe light from Michaels that flickered like a real flame inside the pumpkin.

 Essie Wicked.  One coat is dark cranberry but 2 or more coats it can start to look very black.

Me modeling my "wicked" polish and my wedding band (smiles).  I've only tried it on once since R had it sized so I could make sure it fit correctly and I just happened to be wearing my favorite fall polish at the time.

 Yum.

 Lilly's favorite new snack!  I noticed she had a lot of dander the past couple of months. I thought her food wasn't providing enough essential oils for her coat.  I tried these and her fur has never been so soft and I've made an effort to brush her more often (she has short hair so I only ever had to brush her to remove loose fur).

 Murad face cleanser.  I'm using the AHA BHA exfoliating cleanser in the mornings and the refreshing cleanser at night.  The products are pricey but the generous size lasts quite a while and my skin has been smooth and blemish free.

 More apple pie goodness.  I love these Larabars...they make great afternoon snacks.  This one is the only flavor I care for.

 Pumpkin spice latte...deliciousness in a cup and the perfect pre-tailgate beverage.

I have this necklace in yellow and I love it!  I couldn't find a picture online of my exact necklace but I've been wearing it every chance I get.

 Champion C9 quarter zip, long sleeve top from Target.  This is a great workout shirt - it's long so it doesn't ride up, it has a pocket in the back, vents under the arms and on the back, and thumb holes.  I also love wearing it just to hang out because it's so cozy...I'm actually wearing it as I'm typing my fall favorites!

This is such an "out there" item for me.  I purchased the Mossimo colored denim "jeggings" from Target on a whim.  They are sized for juniors but I loved the teal color, and even though I had to size up, I think they fit well.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money on colored denim because I wanted to test it out first, and I really like these.  I usually wear them with a white shirt and colored scarf or with my yellow statement necklace.

Wishing you all a spooky night!

Happy Halloween 2012!!!

Kiss FM Pet-O-Ween Contest - Baby's Entry

Vote Baby For Pumpkin Queen!!!!

 

I entered our sweet girl in a local radio station contest for pet o ween.  Daily voting began on Oct 26 but I've been super late getting it on the blog.  Anyway if y'all want to vote for her it will be greatly appreciated, you can look through all the pets or you can search for "baby".

 

http://rewards.939kissfm.com/app2/Contest/NTkkur

Currently, I Am...

(post was inspired by Katie at Keep Calm and Carry On - because it looked like so much fun!)

Reading: Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil...ever since we chatted about Savannah as a possible honeymoon destination I've wanted to read this book.  I've seen the movie so I'm familiar with the story but in most cases the book is better than the movie.

Watching: Criminal Minds, an episode from the DVR- I'm such an addict.  I'm convinced that I'm getting an education when I watch these crime dramas and law shows.  I consider myself a professional at pointing out behaviors in psycho serial killers.

Thinking About:  My bridal portraits.  My photographer posted them on her website a couple of nights ago (password protected of course so R can't see).  My mom loves them so much she is buying the disk with all the photos but I have to choose one to hang as my actual portrait.  There are several good ones (and many great ones that don't necessarily show all the details of my dress) and I'm having trouble deciding.

Loving: My fiance :-)  I'm also really loving fall - the weather is perfect to spend time outside.  Spending time inside isn't so bad either, curling up under a blanket in the evening.  There are so many things I'm loving - pumpkin lattes, pumpkin and apple scented candles, pie, soup, boots, and scarves

Looking Forward To:  R has been wanting to use the fire pit and these cool nights are perfect for it.  He also obtained some deer meat that we may use for spaghetti or quiche this upcoming weekend.  We also have a blackout game against Navy this weekend.

Wondering:  If we will ever make a decision where to go for our honeymoon.

Cooking / Baking:  None for now.  I've been craving apple pie and I might make a small crumble for myself since R doesn't like cooked apples.  My mom bought a slice of pumpkin jelly roll recently for us to share and it was delicious!

Disliking:  The long line at the early voting poll.  But at least it's over with and I can say I've voted!

Making Me Happy:  The upcoming holidays - I love Thanksgiving for the food and family and then I love to come home and decorate for Christmas!  I've already started purchasing some gifts and making holiday plans with R.  Next month will be a little stressful with moving and premarriage counseling so I'm really excited to have something to look forward to.

Wishing You:  a blessed evening!

Fun at the Fair

R and I usually go to the fair on "hunger relief day" when cost of admission is a bag of canned goods but unfortunately this year that day conflicted with my bridal portraits.  We decided to go on the last Saturday of fair week - - - one of THE most crowded days.  We waited in a long line on the interstate to get to the fairgrounds but didn't have an issue finding a park.  It's no secret that I love the state fair and I've only ever missed a year if absolutely necessary....

 My favorite section of the fair is the Village of Yesteryear.  I love seeing the bread baking demonstrations, antique farm equipment, and crafting.  This exhibit was just outside of the blacksmiths stand.

 R and I enjoyed the forrestry and soil and water conservation exhibits.  They had it open this year to walk out into the water for photos.

 This looks like one of the trees from The Lord of the Rings movies...I loved it!  The guy was standing on stilts and his suit actually felt like tree bark.  We were fooled at first thinking it was a real tree from a distance.

 I love the Got to Be NC Agriculture stands.  Every year the local farmers show their best crops, largest melons and gourds, and bring their best livestock for judging.  I'm a farm girl at heart and I think I'm lucky that my state has such an extensive appreciation for local agriculture and craftsmanship.

 Oh and the food!  I had the MOST delicious authentic gyro tonight.  We also samples local companies goods to our hearts content...I tried the new product from Pepsi (Next), several new BBQ sauces and dips, local honey, jams, and some annual treats like House Autry hushpuppies.  We walked away with a couple of samples of poultry and pork breader, 2 bottles of Zing hots sauce, and a stack of coupons for new products.  I also purchased chocolate peanut butter fudge for myself and maple cotton candy for R.

We were so tired once we drove home we both collapsed on the couch for several hours and watched a Halloween classic...

LOVE!  I also learned abc family will be showing several of my favorite spooky movies on their 13 nights of halloween series.  Many of them I own because Tim Burton directed them but I'd never say no to Beetlejuice or Edward Scissorhands on TV.

Halloween 2012 pumpkin

So I had plans for my "warty" pumpkin this year that did not include carving it.  I wanted to try the melted crayon idea that was so popular last year.  I saw this on several blogs and all over pinterest last fall so I don't know who to credit the idea to.  I purchased crayons from the dollar spot at Target and the whole project took R and I about 45 minutes. 

 R and I alternated with the lighter.  First we had to peel all the paper off the crayons and then hold the crayon at an angle and let it drip on the pumpkin. 

 Super easy but the effect is so pretty!

 Our finished product:

 

  I love that this pumpkin can be decorated at the beginning of the month and last for a few weeks.  We will carve R's pumpkin but probably not until the night before Halloween.

Pumpkin Patch 2012

We had such a fun weekend!  R and I aren't seeing each other much because we are working some strange hours and we are working in different towns every day.  We have decided to move but we haven't found a house yet so for the next few weeks we are trying to make the most of our limited time together.

Saturday morning we set out with a plan...we wanted to go early this year to pick our pumpkins!  I decided Baby should come with us for some excellent photo opportunities in her new Halloween Costume.  We buy our pumpkins from a local church that sales them on a very busy street corner in town.  Apparently on "opening day" of pumpkin sales pets are welcome to attend a Pet Blessing in the morning.  We actually arrived  about an hour after the pet event ended but the preacher still came over to Baby and said a special blessing that ended with her getting a delicious treat.  It was so sweet!

 Riding in the Car.

 Prettiest pumpkin in the patch.

  I love that she doesn't mind getting dressed up.

 Baby wouldn't focus with me for a photo so this is the best one I have.  

 I love this one ...  Baby knows one trick "shake" and she thinks she should get a snack every time she does it.

We left with three pumpkins!  My choice was the small "warty" one - I kept coming back to it.  R likes big pumpkins with curly stems.  We decided to enter this photo into a Pet-O-Ween contest at a local radio station.  So far I definitely think it's the best one....voting starts on October 26 so I may post a request for votes here on my blog :-)

In the afternoon R and I went to a matinee showing of Frankenweenie...I'm a big Tim Burton fan and I've been waiting for this movie for about 10 years.  Oh my gosh the story is so sweet and there were definitely parts that had us teary.  We finished the night with shrimp tacos - a yummy post for another night.

Fall To Do List

I really like the Fall "wish list" posts that I've seen on several blogs.  This fall is going to be full of wedding related chores but I still want to make the most of my favorite season.  Here are my goals from now until winter :-)

1.  Make a homemade apple pie and a loaf of banana nut bread.
2.  Go on a hayride and through a corn maze with R.
3.  Visit a pumpkin patch and decorate our favorites finds.

(my creation from last year)

4.  Take my bridal portraits - October 18th!
5.  Pumpkin Spice latte and Sunday paper in bed.
6.  ECU homecoming - low country boil and a pitcher of sangria for tailgating

(tailgating 2011)

7.  R's 10 year high school reunion
8.  My 10 year high school reunion
9.  Plan a holiday party.
10.  Black Friday shopping with mom.



I really want to try some new recipes too.  I've been in a cooking rut for a few weeks.  I travel so much for work that when I get home I usually let R figure out dinner.  I've made an effort to save some new recipes thanks to pinterest and my blog friends.  Hopefully making a conscious effort to plan my meals (as I did prior to starting this new position) will help me get ready for my portraits.  I'm being diligent with my skin routine and trying to hydrate daily.  Last weekend I went for my second dress fitting....the bodice on my dress was a bit lumpy after they took it in.  I don't need a lumpy boob y'all!  I'm going back to alterations this week to get my dress and I'm apprehensive -   I really hope it's ready. 

Day 9 of the 12 days of Christmas

Favorite Holiday Recipe

I can go on and on with this topic. In fact I might share several food related posts over the next few weeks. I chose this one to share for the blog challenge because it was my Granny's favorite cake. It's funny that most people assume southerners have Red Velvet Cake for Christmas. I always associated it with Thanksgiving. Anyway, this is my Granny's Peter Paul Cake and it completes Christmas in our family. I also posted my Granny's tea cake recipe last Christmas, a definite family favorite!

This is so easy!

Cake:

1 box of Devils Food Cake mix (we always use Duncan Hines). Mix and bake by directions.

Icing:

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

pinch of salt

1 lb very fine coconut

12 large marshmallows

Melt marshmallows over low heat. Add sugar, milk, and salt. Mix well. Heat again slowly. Remove and add coconut. Mix well. If it's too thick, add a little milk.

***Ok - I have also heard this called a "mounds" cake. I searched for Mounds cake to get the photo included in the blog post.  When I make this cake it doesn't come out quite so pretty. You can use the icing recipe as a thick filling between the cake layers and frost the cake with chocolate buttercream icing to make it taste like a mounds candy bar.

Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes

This is the type of deliciousness I look forward to every year...

Turkey Dressing - we don't mess with stuffing in our house, moms dressing is comforting and super filling. I look forward to the leftovers!

Fresh veggies - our family farms so we enjoy veggies at their finest. Corn, collard greens, turnips, green beans - we don't do a lot of casseroles and canned just doesn't work. For some veggies we freeze them when they come from the garden and enjoy them all year.

Candied yams. I love these and there have been many years when this was my dessert. I like them best cold.

Bourbon pecan pie. In a traditional recipe just sub out the vanilla flavoring for good quality bourbon and it makes the flavor of the pecans POP. This is delightful with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Our family makes a lot of desserts and snacks using pecans - some years they cover the ground.

Pumpkin cheesecake. This is a pretty new addition to our Thanksgiving. I love pumpkin pie but my mom makes it pretty often around September / October and I make a lot of pumpkin breakfast bars. Add those to the pumpkin lattes and the coldstone pumpkin ice cream and by Thanksgiving I'm looking forward to a new pumpkin treat.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

*~Happy Thanksgiving~*

"O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hands are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker." - Psalm 95: 1-6 Have a happy holiday and rest up for all the black friday deals!

In the Kitchen: Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin Cake (I made this for my dialysis patients this year as a Thanksgiving treat; I adapted the recipe from the October edition of the South Carolina Kidney Foundation newsletter.) 1 box yellow cake mix 1/2 can pure pumpkin (I used Libbys) 1Tbsp pumpkin pie spice 2/3 cup sugar 4 eggs 1/4 cup oil 1 cup water Mix all ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour batter into a lightly sprayed tube pan. Bake for 40-45 min on 350*. ***options for icing: cream cheese icing (this sounded too sweet for my taste on this cake), a confectionary glaze, or a dusting of powdered sugar (this was my choice).